Beyond 8 Figures

Not many investment opportunities are as rewarding and powerful as real estate investing. However, it requires careful planning and an in-depth understanding of the real estate market. Today, Brandon Cobb of HBG Capital joins A.J. to discuss how real estate can help you generate passive income, ensure financial stability, and leave a legacy for generations to enjoy. They dive into the value of investing in middle Tennessee, the benefits of passive real estate investing, and when to consider jumping into this field as an entrepreneur.About Brandon Cobb:Brandon Cobb is the CEO of HBG Capital, assisting busy business owners to build a legacy, retire, and make an impact with real estate investments. He’s a strategic legacy consultant dedicated to providing passive investment opportunities for busy professionals who want to invest in real estate without the hassle of being a landlord.Brandon worked as a medical device sales rep before becoming a fund manager & licensed GC in TN, managing 20 million+ of new development annually in first-time home buyer housing and build-to-rent communities. He was featured on the cover of REI Wealth magazine, Realty 411 Magazine, and has been quoted and published in Forbes magazine. Key Insights:Identify the best investment opportunity and lean into it. Just like in business, real estate investing is also about spotting the right investment opportunities. Once you’ve recognized the most promising opportunity, commit to it with confidence and diligence. This is how your real estate investment portfolio can experience significant growth and returns. (05:10)Reinvent your strategies. The same strategies give the same results, whether it is in business, real estate, or any other investment. Stay flexible to change and ready to pivot when it’s needed. So, when you feel stuck, don’t be afraid to refine and reinvent your strategies. That’s how you achieve progress and ultimately open yourself to a world of new opportunities. (15:20)Shift your growth mindset. When you feel like you’ve hit the growth ceiling, Brandon suggests applying the concept ‘10x is easier than 2x.’ This will force you to think exponentially instead of linearly and redefine your approach to push the boundaries of what you deem possible. (17:28)Hire strategic partners, not employees. Hire proactive people who you can learn from and who can take initiative when needed. Empower them to take ownership of not only their own professional development but also your company’s growth. This hiring attitude will benefit you both, leading to a more growth-centric environment. (18:58)Focus on one thing. Single focus is vital in real estate, just like business. It allows you to think more clearly, make better decisions, and ultimately achieve excellence. So, focus your attention on one opportunity, and don’t stop until you have mastered it! (26:05)Brandon’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“If you want to grow a giant pumpkin, first identify the strongest pumpkin early on, cut off all those other pumpkins off the vine, so all of the nutrients goes to that pumpkin.’ And that's how you grow.” (05:32)Connect with Brandon:LinkedInResources Mentioned:The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy The 10X Rule by Grant CardoneGet the free e-book, ‘100 Questions Business Owners Ask Before Investing’ at HBG Capital Recession Resistant Real Estate Radio PodcastFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinTwitterWebsiteAffiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey. 

As we prepare and set goals for the upcoming year, reflecting on how far you’ve come and where you want to go next as an entrepreneur is important. Join our host, A.J. Lawrence, in this special episode as he shares his top 5 business learnings from the brilliant guests in 2023. Let’s set the tone for a successful 2024.About A.J. LawrenceA.J. Lawrence is the Founder and CEO of the award-winning JAR Group, a global growth strategy and management agency. You probably also know him as the host of Beyond 8 Figures. A.J. is a dedicated mentor, growth strategist, and angel investor. He calls himself a “journeyman entrepreneur” because he finds great joy in learning from accomplished experts and finding ways to apply these insights to his life and business.Having led his award-winning digital marketing agency into the INC. 500 twice and having several 7-figure exits, he knows exactly what it takes to get where he is today. Apart from providing consulting services to his clients, he also gives back and shares his expertise with the community by hosting Beyond 8 Figures and welcoming other inspiring entrepreneurs to the show.Craft your own entrepreneurial journey in 2024With the new year just around the corner, ask yourself, ‘Where do I want to be this time next year?’ More precisely, ‘What kind of entrepreneur do I want to be?’ Before you write any resolutions and business goals this year, take the time to reflect on lessons, achievements, and failures from 2023. Identify the highs and lows, the opportunities you seized, and the challenges you successfully overcame. Acknowledge the overall progress you’ve made both personally and professionally. This is the perfect time of the year for introspection and past year reflection. Take some rest from hard work and give yourself a pat on the back. And then, it’s time to get to work!2024 has the potential to be your best year so far, but it’s all up to you. Embrace the learnings from 2023 and stick with us at Beyond 8 Figures – we’re here to share insights, guide, and inspire you with every new episode. Key InsightsBelieve in possibilities. Believe you can and you will. As A.J. puts it in this episode, a can-do attitude can weather any storm. So, start consistently working on the belief that you will succeed in your business goals. That’s how you will be able to take the necessary actions to achieve them and overcome any challenges. (02:09)Define what success means for you. Success means different things for different people. Defining your version of success is important to set clear goals and priorities. When you have a clear idea of where you’re going, you can better decide on the next steps and build a business that aligns with your values and mission. (04:13)Communicate your vision consistently. Setting goals is not enough. You also need to consistently communicate them with your team as you move toward them together. Consistently communicating your vision will encourage your team to keep going and help recognize and celebrate the progress you’re making together, ultimately fostering a resilient team culture. (06:05)Invest in your people, and they’ll invest in your vision. It’s no secret that growing your team means growing your company. When you invest in your team’s development, you practically invest in your company’s future. Skilled people deliver better results; that’s a fact. But this kind of leadership goes beyond mere numbers. It inspires and motivates people to drive innovation, work more productively, and ultimately push together toward a shared vision. (08:40)Take small steps to achieve big goals. There’s a reason we say ‘slow and steady wins the race.’ Achieving big wins involves setting up the right foundation and making consistent, incremental progress toward your goals. So, take the time to build a strong foundation and a resilient team. Then, maintain your pace; when the right opportunity comes, you'll be fully prepared to seize it. (12:24)A.J.’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“A can-do attitude can weather any storm. [...] Just consistently work on the belief that you will succeed. That doesn't make it that you will succeed, but it will help when problems come up.” (02:24) Connect with A.J.: LinkedInTwitterResources Mentioned:Bakari Akil, Nomad NoirBillie Simmons, DaylightBen Kelly, Acquisition AceMackenzie Drazan, MiResourceAmit Garg, Tau VenturesMaxwell Reed, Kingdom of SomethingLeon Winkes, IWBSid Pandiya, KonaSean Si, Seo HackerPhilip Blackett, Dream Business MakeoverElliott Holland, Guardian Due DiligenceRay Titus, United Franchise GroupFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinTwitterWebsite

‘New Year, new me.’ Why don’t we switch it up in terms of business and instead say, ‘New Year, new heights?’ With this as our main motto for the following year, we’re bringing you our special compilation episode. We’ve had so many incredible guests this year that it’s almost impossible to pick the best moments from 2023. So, we focused on highlighting the best business lessons that can help you set your goals and transform your business in 2024.About the GuestsRay Titus is the CEO of United Franchise Group™ (UFG), who transformed Signarama® into a leading sign franchise, laying the groundwork for UFG's success as a global leader for entrepreneurs.Juho Makkonen is the CEO and Co-Founder of Sharetribe, an innovative software company helping entrepreneurs get their marketplace businesses off the ground.Billie Simmons is the co-founder and COO of Daylight, a company on a mission to help LGBTQ+ people live their best lives.Kirk Michie is the Founder and currently the Managing Partner of Candor Advisors, a company providing transaction advisory services to successful founder-led businesses. Curro Romero is the founder of Vimbu (also considered an Airbnb of ski lessons), an innovative app connecting skiers and snowboarders directly with instructors.Matthijs Welle is the CEO of Mews, a hospitality software company. He’s passionate about reshaping the hotel industry with technology and an innovative approach.Karen Eber is a thought leader, author, and an exceptional storyteller. She’s currently the CEO and Chief Storyteller at Eber Leadership Group.Key InsightsGear your business towards your strengths. Instead of trying to do everything on your own, focus on your strengths and hire your weaknesses. This will allow you to channel your energies into areas where you excel and make the most impact. (00:30)Open your eyes for opportunities. Sometimes, there are business opportunities staring you right in the face, but you don’t even see them. Try to be more present and keep your eyes open. An opportunity of your lifetime could be just around the corner! (09:19)Seek help when you need it. Despite what some entrepreneurs believe, it’s okay to ask for help. It acknowledges the fact that you're determined to overcome obstacles and succeed by leveraging all available resources. So, whether you need a growth advisor or a team coach, don’t hesitate to get support when needed. (12:33)Embrace uncertainty. When you accept that life is unpredictable and that you can’t control everything in your business, that’s when you truly open yourself to opportunities. It’s true that uncertainty brings challenges, but it also spurs innovation and creativity, so embrace it to unlock your business potential. (16:06)Focus on your customers. Your business is all about your customers. When you’re thinking of a new content strategy, sales pitch, or unique differentiator for your company, keep your customers at the forefront. This will create a loyal customer base but also grow your business through referrals. (23:09)Connect with our guests: Ray TitusJuho MakkonenBillie SimmonsKirk MichieCurro RomeroMatthijs WelleKaren EberResources Mentioned:How to Franchise a Business with Ray Titus, United Franchise GroupBuild a Successful Marketplace Business with Juho Makkonen, SharetribeThe 6 Key Steps to Selling a Business with Kirk Michie, Candor AdvisorsFinding Opportunities in Underrepresented Markets with Billie Simmons, DaylightAchieving Success Through Innovative Thinking with Curro Romero, VimbuContinuous Growth on the Entrepreneurial Journey with Matthijs Welle, MewsTransform Your Business Through The Power of Storytelling with Karen Eber, Eber Leadership GroupFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinTwitterWebsite

Global expansion offers many business benefits, but it requires careful planning and a deliberate approach. Kanessa Muluneh of Mulu joins A.J. to discuss how she built a multimillion-dollar lifestyle brand and global influence spanning different industries and continents. She dives deep into her immigration journey, the challenges of unfamiliar territories, and overcoming cultural barriers. About Kanessa Muluneh:Kanessa Muluneh is the Founder of MULU, a multimillion-dollar plus-size clothing brand. She comes from Ethiopia but was raised in the Netherlands. From reshaping fashion with MULU to launching Europe's first Female American Football League, Kanessa uses her global influence to solve actual problems for her audience and make a true impact beyond business.She started six businesses by age 32 but also built diverse streams of income and companies. She's not just an entrepreneur; Kanessa prefers to call herself a ‘problem solver.’ Shaped by her cultural background and motivated by impact, Kanessa brings a unique perspective to the table, fostering learning in underserved regions and inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs worldwide.Key Insights:Take the time to adjust to a new market. Every new market is different and it requires a different game plan. No matter how much you read and learn about it, you can never be fully prepared to take on a new market until you have boots on the ground. So, it’s essential to take your time with global expansion, stay agile, and learn from the local environment. (06:01)Find your unique differentiator. The thing with achieving significant success is pinpointing what sets you apart and then playing to those qualities. Just like Kanessa recognized what made her special to her audience, you can leverage your special traits to your advantage and turn them into value for your customers. This will attract more like-minded people to you, create stronger bonds with them, and ultimately build a successful personal brand. (15:48)Learn from your mistakes. Much like every other person on the planet, you will also make mistakes. But what matters for your entrepreneurial journey is to find a lesson in every failure. They are the most valuable opportunities for growth and improvement. (17:55)Surround yourself with supportive people. A strong support system is one of the key factors for success in life. That can be your family member, friend, or partner, but it can also be a mentor. So, find someone who will hold you accountable, push you to new levels, and help you achieve your goals. With that kind of support, everything is possible. (19:35)Let go of fear. The best things in life are on the other side of fear. Despite the fact that fear is a natural human emotion, you can’t let it get in the way of your goals. So, instead of just ignoring these anxious feelings, learn to use them to your advantage. Sit with your fears to uncover what’s truly underneath. Then, when you’re ready, take small steps outside of your comfort zone because that’s how the most rewarding experiences will happen. (32:16)Kanessa’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“Sometimes people are quick to just say, ‘Just work hard, work smart, whatever.’ It's not just that. It's really your support system or the people around you that can get you to where you are sometimes.” (19:55)Connect with Kanessa: InstagramTikTokLinkedInResources Mentioned:MULUFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinTwitterWebsite

What an exciting time to be alive. Using artificial intelligence for business has ushered us into a truly fascinating era of unprecedented productivity and efficiencies. Today, AI expert Kevin Surace of Appvance.ai joins A.J. to share his game-changing insights into AI capacities. He gives practical lessons about using automation to improve performance, choosing the right AI tools for your needs, and harnessing the power of AI to revolutionize your business.About Kevin Surace:Kevin Surace is a Chairman and CTO at Appvance, an AI expert, keynote speaker, and an award-winning CEO, CTO, and Innovator. He has been working in the Artificial Intelligence space since the 1990s and has much to say about AI's state, GPT models, and the impacts on your job and your life. He has been awarded almost 100 worldwide patents, including the core technology that would become Siri and other virtual assistants.  Futurist and Disruptive Innovation Keynote Speaker, Creator of the First Smartphone and Digital Assistant, and Innovator of the Decade. Kevin is a top innovation keynote speaker, CEO, and inventor of one of the world’s first smartphones. Kevin has been named Inc. Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year, CNBC’s Innovator of the Decade, and inducted into RIT’s Innovation Hall of Fame. While he has a deep technical background, he has been featured in over 15 TED and TEDx talks and is a high-energy, dynamic speaker and true entertainer who has energized hundreds of audiences to action.Key Insights:Automate your business for faster delivery. You can use large language models to automate various tasks in your business, such as emails, presentations, social media scheduling, etc., to save time and money. This ensures faster and more accurate delivery, improving operational efficiency and leaving more time for strategic tasks. (09:53)Improve communication with AI. AI can simplify complex information and help you achieve more clarity by condensing lengthy reports or turning articles into briefs. You can use it to streamline communication and reduce misunderstandings, ultimately improving work productivity and professional relationships. (12:58)Double your productivity with AI. Using artificial intelligence for business is the ultimate productivity hack. Kevin says AI makes us 10 to 100 times more productive with everyday tasks. So, use it to boost your team’s performance and ultimately achieve more with less time. (14:58)Choose the right AI tools. Take the time to find what works for you, what brings value to your business, and what improves your team’s productivity. This will ensure you get maximum value from the tools you use and not get distracted by every new one on the market. (21:25)Futureproof your business. AI is transforming almost every industry. There’s no hiding from it or denying its potential. Artificial intelligence is no longer a fun thing to have for businesses that want to thrive - it’s what sets them apart from the competition. You either embrace it or risk extinction. (31:41)Kevin’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“I think as an entrepreneur, the only thing we don't have is time because time is money. [...] Start using these accessible models that are now in English, and you might find five hours of your day come back to you.” (20:02)Connect with Kevin: LinkedInPersonal WebsiteResources Mentioned:Kevin’s Ted TalkCrystal KnowsChatGPTBardFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinTwitterWebsite

Business efficiency paves the way for sustainable growth and long-term success, so it’s important to prioritize it within the organization. This week, we have a special episode where A.J. reflects on the importance of simplicity in business and walks us through five tried-and-tested ways to improve business efficiency. Key Insights:Remove inefficiencies from your processes. Increasing business efficiency starts by revisiting and reviewing your processes. Closely examine your current workflows for complexity and inefficiencies. When you identify unnecessary steps that no longer serve your purpose, eliminate them to leave more space for strategic thinking and innovation. (01:37)Embrace automation. Automation can reduce repetitive tasks and minimize errors, leading to improved team productivity and overall business efficiency. Once you successfully implement automation into your processes, you can then repurpose your team's time and effort towards activities that require creativity and strategic thinking, as well as spark innovation. (02:00)Standardize your business procedures. Instead of burdening yourself and your team with constant decision-making, aim to standardize your business procedures. Provide clearly defined processes and precise guidelines. This will reduce missteps, drive more efficiency, and ensure consistency in your business. (02:30)Choose the right AI tools to improve business efficiency. AI is a powerful business ally, particularly when you use it effectively. The best AI tool is the one that perfectly aligns with your organization's needs, so take the time to find the right solution for your team, as this is an investment that will certainly bring incredible value to your company. (02:55)Commit to ongoing improvement. As an entrepreneur, you can get so invested in daily operations that you overlook your potential to improve. But the key is to stay open to new ideas, groundbreaking technologies, and constant improvement. This is how you grow as an entrepreneur and, ultimately, how your business grows and evolves with you. (03:58)A.J.’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“Take the time to identify and eliminate unnecessary complexities. You can then create a more efficient, productive, and enjoyable environment for you and your team.” (05:29)Connect with A.J.:LinkedInTwitterResources Mentioned:Simplifying Business Operations for Sustainable Growth with Mikael Dia, FunnelyticsMikael Dia’s LinkedInFunnelyticsFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinTwitterWebsite

As your business grows, chaos and confusion often sneak in, threatening to disrupt your business operations. The solution? Simplify your business. Mikael Dia from Funnelytics sits down with A.J. to discuss the importance of simplicity in business, how to position your business effectively for a successful scale-up, and how simplified processes can help you achieve sustainable growth for your business.About Mikael Dia:Mikael Dia is the Founder of Funnelytics, a software company dedicated to helping marketers and agencies visually map and analyze their customer journeys. He is an experienced and savvy growth advisor who helps companies turn strangers into customers.Aside from being a digital marketing expert passionate about simplifying marketing, Mikael is also a dedicated serial entrepreneur. He has successfully launched and scaled multiple online businesses to 7-figure and beyond. He is passionate about public speaking and sharing knowledge to make a positive impact.Key Insights:Shift your focus to positive aspects. Entrepreneurs are often prone to dwell on their losses and lose sleep over bad reviews. But this attitude can inflict greater harm to your business than the actual failures. A simple mindset shift can help. Start perceiving these mistakes as opportunities for growth and use them as lessons to build new sustainable strategies. (06:59)Working with a mentor is empowering. Building a business can be lonely, so it’s always good to have support and guidance along the way. Working with a trusted mentor can help you put things into perspective when you’re deep into day-to-day business operations. It can help you to take a step back and see the bigger picture, ultimately opening your mind to fresh ideas and opportunities. (18:13)Journaling is a good way to relieve stress. Trying to avoid stress as an entrepreneur is a losing game. Instead, find ways to relieve stress and transform it into your strength. Mikael suggests journaling as a simple yet powerful tool to channel stress into productivity and self-improvement. Try it out to take those dark thoughts out on paper and decompress since it’s highly important for your health. (20:55)Strike the right balance in business. According to Mikael, there are four pillars of modern entrepreneurship: profit, impact, freedom, and fulfillment. Many people focus on the financial aspect of business, but each of these pillars is significant for your journey. Striking the right balance between these four pillars will help you navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and keep a clear vision and a resilient mindset. (24:39) Simplify to amplify. As an entrepreneur, you’ll inevitably get caught up in the chase for growth and scale. But that inevitably leads to complexity, chaos, and confusion in your business, which directly hinders growth. The key is to continuously simplify your business operations. This will allow you to focus on your core goals while your business runs like a well-oiled machine. (41:57)Mikael’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“Entrepreneurs are always trying to solve problems. We're always trying to iterate and make things better. [...] So for me, I think the one thing that I find is key is just that constant mindset of, can I keep this as simple as possible?” (43:59)Connect with Mikael: LinkedInFacebookYouTubeResources Mentioned:FunnelyticsFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinTwitterWebsiteAffiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey.

Overnight success and exponential growth may sound appealing, but incremental growth is the true key to long-lasting success. Eugene Ravitsky from FactoryPure joins A.J. to discuss the importance of incremental business improvements, how to deliberately and proactively build your infrastructure, and why consistent check-ins with your team are integral to your company’s longevity.About Eugene Ravitsky:Eugene Ravitsky is the Co-Founder and President of FactoryPure, one of the fastest-growing eCommerce companies in the United States specializing in heavy-duty items such as generators, air purifiers, and water filters. He’s the type of entrepreneur whose passion for business started early on, back when he was in fourth grade, selling fireball candy to his classmates. Fast forward many years, he and his brother co-founded their first business together. Even though it wasn’t an instant success, it still turned out to be a defining moment for the brothers, who persevered and eventually discovered their niche. That’s how FactoryPure was born. The company has consistently grown since then, doubling sales every year and earning a spot on the INC 5000 list for five years now.Key Insights:Always be ready to pivot your business. You need to be ready to change direction if needed. Sometimes, it’s needed when there’s too much competition in your current niche, when you hit the growth ceiling, or when your customers aren’t responding to your offer as you expected. Eugene is a great example of how understanding customer preferences can help you identify a unique opportunity in the market and recognize that it’s time to pivot. (01:47) Effective employee management is crucial for your growth potential. As your company grows, employee management becomes more critical and challenging because its growth depends on its employees. You need to establish clear communication channels, address issues proactively, conduct regular coaching sessions, and have consistent check-ins with your team to create a supportive environment. (06:33)Take a deliberate approach to personnel expansion. This will give you a unique opportunity to engage in their training personally, understand the nuances of each team member's personality, and tailor your management style based on individual responses. Ultimately, you will create a culture of open communication where every employee is committed to the company’s long-lasting success. (08:30) Build your infrastructure proactively. Solid infrastructure is vital for a growing business because it helps lay the foundation for scalability, efficiency, and sustainability. This helps the organization handle increased demands and adapt to changes in the market, setting the stage for incremental growth and longevity. (11:32)Make automation your ally. When business becomes more complex and requires more time and resources, automation can minimize the effort. It helps streamline repetitive tasks and saves a lot of time. Most importantly, it improves efficiency, a key element for managing the complexities of growth. This ultimately allows the employees to focus on more strategic and high-value activities. (13:37) Eugene’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“It's like with anything else, the experience helps. So when you've been doing it for so long, a lot of the problems tend to be similar or at least the same, so you can see them a lot farther out. ” (06:20)Connect with Eugene: LinkedInResources Mentioned:FactoryPureAbout FactoryPure: Call FactoryPure at (888) 978-4993 Follow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinTwitterWebsite

Your personal mission is your greatest power. So, as an entrepreneur, it’s your responsibility to embrace it to drive customer value and improve the quality of their lives. Today, Renee Dua from Together by Renee sits down with A.J. to discuss how her personal experiences shaped her business venture, helping her build an innovative health tech product that’s now improving patients’ lives and outcomes.About Renee Dua:Renee Dua is the Founder of Together by Renee, an AI assistant that supports patients and their caregivers to achieve better health outcomes by helping them with healthcare tasks. She’s also the Founder and Advisor at Heal, another powerful software to improve health outcomes by providing in-home primary care. Renee completed her BS in Biochemistry at UC San Diego, her MD at Rosalind Franklin University, her residency in internal medicine at UCLA, and her fellowship in nephrology at USC. Before founding Together by Renee and Heal with her husband, Nick Desai, she built a nephrology practice that was noted for the successful use of electronic health records and practice management.Episode highlights:Entrepreneurship tends to be a lonely road. So, having support along the way makes all the difference. It gives you greater confidence to build a product or a service that can change someone’s life. So, if that support doesn’t come to you naturally, look for an experienced and savvy mentor to guide you toward your business goals and help you become a better entrepreneur. (06:43) Focusing solely on innovation won’t cut it for entrepreneurs aiming at long-term success. The real achievement is creating products that consistently improve people's lives and not just sit on the shelves. That’s why it’s vital to deeply understand your users and focus on solving real-world problems while at the same time ensuring your product is both mission-powered and user-focused. (09:50)When you combine your personal mission with your business vision, you can draw unique insights to help you innovate in your company. This alignment can help to improve people’s lives and drive meaningful change in society, ultimately skyrocketing your business growth and leaving a long-term legacy behind. (18:40) Understanding what people need and creating solutions for those needs is super important in business. Your own experiences can be really helpful here. They can help you find gaps in the market and understand what problems people are facing. By putting yourself in their shoes, you can develop creative solutions that connect with them. This makes your product stand out and gives your customers something that really matters to them. (20:28)Autonomy is an important aspect of building user-oriented products. This is particularly critical in sectors like healthcare, as it puts the control back in users’ hands and makes them feel in control. Empowering users is a win-win strategy that fuels your product’s success by improving user experiences and fostering trust and loyalty toward your product. (29:18) Renee’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“Everybody has this story. And hearing my patients, having the privilege of being able to still see patients, and then having our parents and me being their caregiver, that has been so instrumental in every aspect of what you see.” (22:23)Connect with Renee: LinkedInTwitterTogether by Renee on TwitterResources Mentioned:Together by ReneeHealUsing Generative AI to Drive Customer Value with Nick DesaiThe Life-Changing Impact Of Mission-Driven Companies with Nick DesaiFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinTwitterWebsite

Gone are the days when business success was measured solely by financial gains. Today's global market demands a new approach - sustainable growth. Today, Philip Blackett of Dream Business Makeover sits down with A.J. to discuss his four core of dream business growth, the importance of course correction in achieving business goals, and his hard-earned lessons that have reshaped his perspective on what it means to run a sustainable and resilient business.About Philip Blackett:Philip Blackett is an investor and growth advisor. He helps 6, 7, and 8-figure businesses grow their sales, profit & exit value through his Dream Business Makeover program. His goal is to build sustainable and resilient businesses that can withstand market challenges, reach their full potential, and ultimately thrive in an increasingly dynamic landscape.Philip has a fascinating background. He is a Harvard Business School graduate with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He’s also experienced in business ownership, franchise management, and business analysis, making him the go-to person for business growth and strategic planning.Episode highlights:Your business purpose and goals are very clear in the initial stages of entrepreneurship. Yet, as time goes by, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Staying in tune with your initial dreams and motivation becomes paramount as they are the fuel that powers your journey forward and helps you overcome any obstacles. If you ever feel lost, remind yourself of that vision to help you get back on track. (03:07) Entrepreneurship is an unpredictable journey. That’s why it’s fundamental to build resilience and adaptability in your team. This will help you bounce back from setbacks, learn from failures, and keep moving forward faster to create more predictable business growth. (16:12)Building a resilient business is the ultimate goal of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs need to understand that their role is not just about getting lost in day-to-day operations; rather, it is about laying the groundwork for continued growth. This will both help reach the business goals and support the entrepreneur’s well-being. (27:26) Clear goals help your business stay aligned with your vision of success and move in that direction. That said, just articulating where you'd like your business to be in the future is not enough to achieve sustainable growth. It also requires relentless course-correcting, fine-tuning, and adjusting your efforts along the way. If you don’t do that, you might waste your time pursuing the wrong things.  (32:23)Business growth rarely follows a linear path, but you can learn to plan for and anticipate the challenges. Such a strategic practice of course correction ensures your business is well-positioned to weather any storm that comes its way, ultimately leading to more sustainable and resilient growth. (33:43) Philip’s best advice for entrepreneurs:“Oftentimes business is just a series of experiments until you find the one that works that you're willing to scale it and reap the benefits of. But you have to keep trying, you have to keep testing to find out what works. Otherwise, you're going to be still at point A when you're trying to get to point Z.” (35:58)Connect with Philip: LinkedInTwitterInstagramResources Mentioned:Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki Dream Business MakeoverFollow Beyond 8 Figures:LinkedinTwitterWebsiteAffiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, we only promote products/services we believe will benefit your entrepreneurial journey.